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Maria D Posted 13 years ago
Vocabulary

Clever - negative?

Hello! Could you help me, please, with the word "clever"?

I've read in the book "English Vocabulary in Use" (upper-intermediate, unit 38) that the word "clever" is used in a negative way and equals to cunning, crafty and sly. I also read it's better never call anyone as clever because it might insult but better to use "smart", "intelligent". And my British friends never called me clever, but smart Emotion: smile

Could you help me to clarify this?
Thank you!
  

Top answer

Clever is usually used more in a particular situation. eg That's a clever solution to the problem. Smart / intelligent are more often used to describe a character trait.

— Clive

  • Clever is usually used more in a particular situation.
  • eg That's a clever solution to the problem.
  • Smart / intelligent are more often used to describe a character trait.
  • But .
  • .
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3 Answers
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Clever is usually used more in a particular situation.
eg That's a clever solution to the problem.
Smart / intelligent are more often used to describe a character trait.

But . . . . a lot of people will be happy if you say they are
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I read that it's not desirable to tell someone "you are clever", because it may insult. Hmm... Thank you very much, indeed. So, may I say to my students:"You are a clever girl / boy."?
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Yes. But it is something that is best said to quite small children.
To older ones, it may sound patronizing.
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